As Metallica prepare to bring their blockbuster M72 World Tour back to the stage in 2027, fans have plenty of reason to look back at how the band has been shaping its setlists throughout the marathon concert run.
Since launching in 2023, the M72 Tour has taken Metallica across continents with a distinctive format, featuring massive stadium productions, two-night engagements in many cities and different setlists across each performance. With the tour already spanning more than three years, a clear pattern has emerged in the songs that have become regular fixtures—and those that have appeared far less frequently.
The Setlist Has Become Part of the Show
One of the defining characteristics of the M72 era has been Metallica’s willingness to rotate songs rather than rely on an identical setlist every night. That approach has given longtime fans an incentive to attend multiple shows, particularly during the band’s two-night “No Repeat Weekend” dates.
The concept means songs performed on the first night generally aren’t repeated on the second, allowing Metallica to dig deeper into its extensive catalog.
That has created an interesting statistical picture of the tour. While several iconic tracks have remained staples, others have been used much more selectively.
The Songs That Dominate
Unsurprisingly, some of Metallica’s biggest classics have accumulated substantial numbers of performances during the M72 era.
Songs such as “Enter Sandman,” “Master of Puppets,” “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “Nothing Else Matters” have continued to occupy prominent positions in the band’s live repertoire.
These tracks remain closely associated with Metallica’s identity and are among the songs many casual concertgoers expect to hear when attending a show.
However, the band has also demonstrated that its setlists are not simply built around the biggest singles. Material from different periods of Metallica’s career has received opportunities throughout the tour, helping create variety from city to city.
Deeper Cuts Get Their Moments
The M72 Tour has also provided opportunities for less frequently performed material to return to the stage.
Tracks from albums that traditionally receive less attention in live performances have appeared alongside the band’s biggest hits. For devoted fans, those unexpected selections can become some of the most memorable moments of an entire concert.
The rotation system has also allowed Metallica to revisit songs that may disappear from several consecutive shows before suddenly returning.
The Least-Played Tracks
At the opposite end of the statistics are songs that have made only occasional appearances during the M72 Tour.
Some tracks are naturally less likely to be selected because Metallica has an enormous catalog and can only fit a limited number of songs into each concert. Others may require particular arrangements or simply rotate in and out according to the band’s plans.
As a result, a song appearing only once or a handful of times does not necessarily mean Metallica has abandoned it. The band’s extensive repertoire makes it possible for rare selections to resurface without warning.
What 2027 Could Bring
With the M72 Tour scheduled to continue into 2027, the setlist story is far from finished.
The remaining shows could bring more surprises, deeper cuts and further changes to the balance between classic favorites and less frequently played material. For fans planning to attend, that unpredictability remains one of the tour’s biggest attractions.
After more than three years on the road, Metallica’s M72 setlists show a band balancing familiarity with experimentation. The most-played songs continue to anchor the concerts, while the rare appearances keep longtime followers watching closely for what might come next.